Recovering LNG Boil-Off Gas for Land-Based Utilization
Joint Participation by Korean Register, HD Hyundai, and Donghwa Newtec
World's First Application in Ulsan... Expected to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A technology that recovers liquefied natural gas (LNG) boil-off gas, which naturally evaporates during shipbuilding at shipyards, and recycles it as city gas on land, has been demonstrated for the first time in the world.
On June 25, Korean Register (KR) announced that, together with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Donghwa Newtec, it has successfully demonstrated a technology that converts boil-off gas generated during the construction of LNG-fueled vessels into city gas. This demonstration was applied to an LNG dual-fuel container ship currently under construction at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Shipyard.
This project began in March when HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering proposed the concept of collecting and utilizing boil-off gas generated during the construction of LNG-fueled ships as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the group. Subsequently, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries developed the boil-off gas treatment equipment, Donghwa Newtec participated as a partner, and the entire process from design to manufacturing and operation was completed through joint verification by Korean Register and the Liberian flag state.
LNG must be kept at an ultra-low temperature below minus 162 degrees Celsius, but it naturally evaporates over time due to external heat inflow, generating boil-off gas (BOG). While this gas can be used as fuel when the ship is sailing, it cannot be used during construction or while the ship is berthed. Therefore, during the commissioning phase of construction, the gas has traditionally been disposed of either by forced combustion or by releasing it into the atmosphere.
Recently, international environmental regulations have also restricted the combustion of boil-off gas from ships while berthed, making it urgent for shipyards to find effective disposal methods. With this demonstration, a technological foundation has been established to convert up to 50 tons of boil-off gas per vessel into city gas on land. This is evaluated as a core technology that reduces LNG fuel waste and contributes to the shipyard's carbon neutrality strategy.
Kim Dongryul, Executive Director at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, "This demonstration is the first case of utilizing boil-off gas generated during the shipbuilding stage as city gas on land," adding, "It will become a representative example leading the decarbonization transition in the shipbuilding and marine industries."
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